Improvement in writing-desk and book-rest attachments for chairs



UNITED STATES PATENT FFIGE.

ELDRIDGE J. SMITH, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

4llVlP-ROVl-NHNT IN WRITING-DESK ANDvBOOK-REST ATTACHMENTS FOR CHAIRS.

Specification forming'part of Letters Patent No. 156,505, dated November 3,1874; application filed October 7, 1874.

To all-whom it may' concern:

Be it known that I, ELDRIDGE J. SMITH, of Washington city, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain Improvements in Writing-Desk and Book-Rest Attachment for Chairs, of which the following is a specification:

The first part of my invention relates to a metallic standard arranged to be secured in a vertical position to a chair or bench by means of ra screw-clamp. This standard has on its inner surface serrations, which serve to hold more firmly the movable jaw made to slide thereon in clamping to a chair. The using of the movable jaw enables the clamping the standard to any chair of various thickness of bottom. Over the top of the standard is made to slide a tube, of diameter to fit snugly over the standard, and secured thereto by a thumbscrew. This tube is screwed into a plate, which plate is fastened to the'bottom of the `desk or book-support.

The second part of my invention relates to a uesk or book-support secured to the standard aforesaid, being a square box, of shallow depth, to which a lid considerably larger than the opening of its top :is securedand operated in this manner: To the under side, and at a point somewhat remote from the upper edge of the lid, is hinged a strong wire, each end of which is bent at right angles, forming arms of suitable length. The ends of these arms are bent at right angles outwardly, and operate in holes formed through .the sides of the desk, at a point about midway from the front and back, which enables the desk-lid to be lifted either forward, or backward, or up bodily from the desk-box. In the center of the lid, and at its lower edge, is secured a metallic strip, with perforations down its center,

and in the top edge of the desk-box is afxed' a metallic pin, which projects therefrom, and enters the perforations in the metallic strip, so that when the lid is cauted at any angle the metallic pinV operating in or catching in the perforations of the metallic strip or perforations in the desk-lid holds the lid rmly in Whatever angle it is placed until relieved by lifting the lid. A spring device secured to the upper edge of the lid serves to hold paperor book. Aperforation is made near the edge of the desk. to hold an inkstand. The desklid can easily be removed from the desk when desired by springing the wire arms inwardlyconvenient at times in holding the lid on the lap in writing. v

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the adjustable desk; Fig. 2, a sectional side elevation of the saine.

A in Fig. 1 is the standard; B, serrations on its inner surface; C, movable jaw sliding upon the standard, and operating in the serrations; D, arm projecting at right angles with the standard; E, screw operating in same; F, hollow tube enveloping the top of standard; G, thumb-screw securing same; H, desk; J, lid of desk; K, spring. L in Fig. 2 is the lever projecting'obliquely below thejaw U 5 M, plate fastened to the bottom of the desk, into which the enveloping tube F is screwed; N, wire arm, to which the desk-lid is hinged; O, metallic pin operating in the perforations P.

I claiml. The adjustable standard A, provided with rack or serrations B, arm D, and thumb-screw E, in combination with jaws O and oblique collar or slide L, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of standard A, tube F, having set-screw Gr, plate M, and desk H, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In combination with the desk H and lid J, provided with perforations P, of the brace N and piu O, substantially as and for the purpose described.

ELDRIDGE J. SMITH.

Witnesses:

THOMAS C. OoNNoLLY, W. J. GOLLAMER. 

